The Lancet Countdown works to ensure that health is at the centre of how decision makers understand and respond to climate change. Through high-quality scientific data, we work to inform policies that can maximise the health benefits of climate action, and enable a world in which all populations can thrive.
Our Background
The 2015 Lancet Commission’s conclusion – that ‘tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century’ highlighted the need for a global monitoring system with the ability to engage policymakers and support health professionals.
In 2016 the Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change was formed to address this gap, beginning with a public consultation to identify key areas to track and monitor. The collaboration recognises that health should be at the centre of how governments and decision makers understand and respond to climate change, to maximise the human benefits of a robust response.
Publishing annually in The Lancet, with strategic and financial support from the Wellcome Trust, The Lancet Countdown is hosted by University College London, and works with almost 300 leading researchers from around the world to track and understand the evolving links between climate change and people’s health.
279
leading experts
112
collaborating institutions
6
regional centres
Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi, Lancet Countdown Africa Director
“While Africa faces daunting challenges which are being exacerbated by climate change, there is always hope. With the right support, robust evidence, and strategic collaboration, Africa can achieve a future where it’s environment and people thrive.”
Wellcome is a financially and politically independent global charitable foundation established in 1936. It supports discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and brings together expertise across science, innovation and society to develop solutions to address three of the biggest health challenges facing humanity – climate change, infectious disease and mental health. Its Climate and Health programme seeks to generate the health evidence for policy action that protects health from climate change.
The Lancet began as an independent, international weekly general medical journal founded in 1823 by Thomas Wakley. Since its first issue (Oct 5, 1823), the journal has strived to make science widely available so that medicine can serve and transform society, and positively impact the lives of people. Over the past two centuries, The Lancet has sought to address urgent topics in our society, initiate debate, put science into context, and influence decision makers around the world. The Lancet has evolved as a portfolio of journals and retains at its core the belief that medicine must serve society, that knowledge must transform society, that the best science must lead to better lives.
